WKU Men’s Basketball will start their Conference USA title defense Tuesday night with a first-round matchup against Florida International University.
Last season, the Hilltoppers ended the regular season on a four-game losing streak, but overcame the rough finish rattling off three wins to win the conference tournament. Coming off a 14-loss regular season, WKU will need to play its best basketball to get through the CUSA field.
The Hilltoppers title defense begins with their third matchup against FIU. The Panthers came to Diddle Arena on March 6, where WKU won 76-67, splitting the season series. FIU shot 7-24 from beyond the arc and lost the turnover battle 16-7. The earlier Jan. 4 matchup was won by FIU 85-66 in Miami.
The Panthers are led by guard Jayden Brewer, who averages 14.3 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. In FIU’s 78-56 loss at Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, he posted 15 points and seven rebounds on 50% shooting from the field.
Brewer posted 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists in last Thursday’s game against WKU and seven points and seven rebounds in the Jan. 4 matchup.
Senior guard Don McHenry, who earned All-CUSA Second Team post-season honors, leads the Hilltoppers into the tournament with 17.2 points per game. He leads the conference in free throw percentage at 83%.
The winner of WKU and FIU will face Jacksonville State in the quarterfinal round.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Prost Arena in Huntsville, Alabama. The game can be watched on ESPN+.
Sports Reporter Michael Givner Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
